Steven Ehrlich Architects
http://www.s-ehrlich.com/

Founded in 1979 Steven Ehrlich Architects (SEA) is a 20-person sole proprietorship located in Culver City, California. Our award-winning projects have long been recognized for distinctive designs that extend the tradition of architectural innovation and the fusion of technology with cultural and environmental sensitivity.

SEA is nationally recognized for award-winning architecture. In 2003, SEA was honored as the Firm of the Year by the California AIA, and in 1997 we received three AIA National Honor awards for design, the first practice to be so honored since I.M. Pei in 1974. The Firm of the Year Award is the highest honor bestowed on an architectural firm by the AIACC, and recognizes sustained levels of design excellence as well as contributions to the profession. A total of five monographs have been published on the work of Steven Ehrlich Architects including one in 1998 by Rizzoli International and one in 2002 by IMAGES Publishing.

Planning and design staff continues to be led by founder Steven Ehrlich, FAIA, Managing Principals Charles W. "Duke" Oakley, FAIA and Thomas Zahlten, AIA, Senior Associate Takashi Yanai, AIA, and three Associates (Patricia Rhee, AIA, Aaron Torrence, AIA, and Mark Kim, AIA). Each brings a unique focus on the fusion of powerful, simple forms with the cultural, climactic, and contextual particulars of place.

Over the twenty-five year history of the firm, SEA has master planned and designed a wide variety of corporate, civic, residential, educational and learning facilities throughout California and the nation. We approach the planning and design of all projects with a straightforward methodology focused on function and an architectural expression concerned with users and the community, a vernacular response to local climate and culture, the integration of spontaneous social gatherings, and the power of simple forms and spaces. We understand the importance of people and place and the necessity of expressing the unique characteristics of a community or campus within the context of a functional, well-planned facility.

While Steven Ehrlich Architects has received much critical recognition, the most satisfying measure of achievement is that its architecture has succeeded in connecting people with people: public buildings encourage a multi-cultural fusion of people & place while residential works create serene environments that replenish the soul.